Human Rights Campaign Endorses Richard Cordray for Ohio Governor

HRC announced its endorsement of Richard Cordray for Ohio Governor.

“Richard Cordray’s commitment to equality and years of service to the people of Ohio make him the clear choice for voters,” said HRC State Manager Shawn Copeland. “Throughout his career in public service, Cordray has consistently worked to move equality forward, fighting for every person’s right to work and live free from harassment and discrimination. HRC is proud to endorse Richard Cordray’s bid to be the next Governor of the state of Ohio.”

“I have fought for decades to ensure that LGBTQ Ohioans are treated fairly,” said Richard Cordray. “I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and that we need to do more to make sure Ohio is a place where members of the LGBTQ community are proud to live, work, and raise their families openly and free of discrimination. As Governor, I will work to make Ohio an open and inclusive state that embraces the talents of everyone.”

Richard Cordray has a long record working to advance equality at the state and national level, most recently as the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), where he extended the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to prohibit financial discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. As the former Attorney General, Solicitor General and State Treasurer for the state of Ohio, Cordray worked to make the Buckeye State safer and protect the rights of every Ohioans. As Ohio Solicitor General, he wrote a brief in Wisconsin v. Mitchell, supporting Wisconsin’s LGBTQ-inclusive hate crime laws and advocated for Ohio to update the state’s hate crime laws to also protect the LGBTQ community. He has also provided pro bono legal services in support of LGBTQ people in landmark pro-equality cases such as Lawrence v. Texas and Colorado v. Romer.

Cordray supports marriage equality and the Ohio Fairness Act, crucial legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. He also supports updating Ohio’s outdated birth certificate laws to allow transgender Ohioans to change the gender marker on their birth certificates.

Cordray will be facing Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, a long time opponent of equality, in the general election. As Attorney General, DeWine defended the state’s marriage ban, stating that LGBTQ people did not deserve “protected-class status.” DeWine also opposes non-discrimination laws protecting Ohioans on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying at school.

In Ohio, HRC has identified more than 1,550,000 “Equality Voters” — voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Ohio in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-endorses-richard-cordray-for-ohio-gov?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Expressing Commitment to Your Partner – Without Getting Married

Marriage is a huge commitment, both personally and financially. That’s just one of the reasons today’s couples — Millennials especially — are waiting to tie the knot later in life. If you’re ready to say yes to a serious relationship with your partner without making the marriage leap, here are some ways that you can […]

The post Expressing Commitment to Your Partner – Without Getting Married appeared first on PlentyOfFish Blog.

Expressing Commitment to Your Partner – Without Getting Married

Richard Grenell, Pringles, Darren Criss, Love Simon, Paul Manafort, Jim Parsons, Sara Bareilles, Art Across America: HOT LINKS

JIM PARSONS AND ELLEN. On wedding anniversaries.

BACK TO JAIL?  Former US Attorney tells Paul Manafort to pack his toothbrush when he goes to court: “Prosecutors hate this, judges hate this, and he’s going to have to bring his toothbrush to court on Friday because the statute says, if they find this happened, there’s a presumption that no circumstances exist that will get him safely there for trial.”

REVIVED. Katy Perry’s assistant is a hero for saving her dog with CPR.

POLLS. Democrats +10 in new generic poll on midterms.

NORTH KOREA. Trump and John Bolton don’t care to call a single top-level National Security Council meeting on North Korea.

GERMANY Calls grow for expulsion of U.S. homocon ambassador Richard Grenell.

INDIA. Petition campaign launched after country hasn’t scheduled the release of Love, Simon: “India is considered as a progressive country but still hasn’t scheduled the release of Love, Simon in the cinemas despite the movie being released in majority of the countries. It’s been more than 2 months and the LGBT+ community has been patiently waiting for the movie which finally gives the community some representation.”

DARREN CRISS. No longer has a problem with being naked on screen.

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING. Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent responded to the anti-gay baker ruling: “Our response has always been to live openly and honestly, and we’re going to continue to do that. That is our reaction, you know, we’re not going anywhere.  Our message as a couple has always been about inclusion. We don’t judge other people who are different than we are. We would prefer that other people don’t judge us, but we understand the world that we live in.”

I AM A BIG GAY HOMO. Instagram and Snapchat GIF stirs controversy.



OWEN JONES. The government’s treatment of gay refugees shames Britain: ‘The prime minister herself repeatedly voted to keep anti-gay laws until a few years ago. While it was a Tory government that introduced equal marriage – though most Tory MPs did not vote for it – this is an issue of life and death for gays, lesbians and bisexuals. It is also, in part, about our colonial legacy. Many of the countries they face deportation to have anti-gay laws that were designed while the British were in power. We have a moral duty to offer support and safety to LGBT people fleeing repression for which Britain shares responsibility. Yet, according to Home Office figures released last year, of 3,535 asylum claims related to sexuality over a two-year period, a staggering two-thirds were rejected. The government hopes that the furore over Windrush has dissipated, that scrutiny of the “hostile environment” and the injustices it perpetrates has gone. That must not happen.’

ART ACROSS AMERICA. Largest public art campaign in U.S. history: “For Freedoms, a political art organisation, plans to erect thousands of billboards and signs across the United States with a political message. Titled the 50 State Initiative, the $1.5 million project is the largest public art campaign in American history. As ArtForum reports, over 175 artists and 200 partners are involved: its founders Hank Willis Thomas and Eric Gottesman, and artists including Sam Durant, Marilyn Minter, and Tania Bruguera.”

TONY AWARDS. The Musical. With Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles.

HOW IT’S MADE OF THE DAY. Pringles.

THIRSTY THURSDAY. Dom Castillo.

The post Richard Grenell, Pringles, Darren Criss, Love Simon, Paul Manafort, Jim Parsons, Sara Bareilles, Art Across America: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.

Richard Grenell, Pringles, Darren Criss, Love Simon, Paul Manafort, Jim Parsons, Sara Bareilles, Art Across America: HOT LINKS

#AM_Equality: June 7, 2018

BERMUDA SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY: The historic decision by the Bermuda Supreme Court invalidates sections of the recently enacted Domestic Partnership Act that removed full marriage rights for same-sex couples. The court’s decision comes in response to legal challenges to newly enacted domestic partnership legislation that repealed marriage equality in Bermuda. “The Bermuda Supreme Court has righted the injustice that occurred when Bermudian lawmakers made the islands the first national territory in the world to repeal marriage equality,” said Ty Cobb (@tywesleycobb), director of HRC’s global department. “We congratulate the plaintiffs in this case on their historic victory ensuring that once again, Love Wins!” More from HRC and The Hill, Metro Weekly Advocate and BuzzFeed.

This year, Bermuda became the first national territory in the world to repeal marriage equality.

Today, the Bermuda Supreme Court overturned the nation’s ban on marriage equality. #LoveWins #LoveIsLove t.co/FmCeAE83xS pic.twitter.com/DZp076cLdS

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) June 6, 2018

HRC ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING LGBTQ-INCLUSIVE RESOURCES FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES: Today, HRC Foundation unveiled groundbreaking new resources to guide child welfare agencies across the nation in better serving the more than 430,000 children and young people in foster care. “For more than a decade, All Children – All Families has worked with child welfare agencies across the country to help them welcome and affirm LGBTQ children, youth and families,” said Alison Delpercio, Deputy Director, HRC Children, Youth & Families Program. “Given recent efforts by anti-equality legislators across the country to grant agencies ‘licenses to discriminate’ targeting prospective LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents, our work to ensure that child welfare organizations are fully inclusive of LGBTQ youth and families has never been more important.” More from HRC.

THANKFUL THURSDAY — NEW POLLING SHOWS MOST AMERICANS OPPOSE BUSINESSES HAVING A LICENSE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LGBTQ AMERICANS: Morning Consult’s survey shows that 57 percent of Americans oppose such measures, including 77  percent of Democrats and 55 percent of Catholics. Additionally, 51 percent of Americans believe such measures would “create an environment in which minority groups face widespread discrimination.” The polling mirrors findings of a recent Public Religion Research Institute survey. More from Morning Consult.

MORNING MUST READ FROM REV. DR. WILLIAM BARBER ON RACIST, ANTI-LGBTQ TRUMP JUDICIAL NOM THOMAS FARR: Thomas Farr’s shameful track record includes defending North Carolina’s voter suppression law and representing Jesse Helms’ Senate campaign, which was notorious for its racist tactics designed to intimidate and disenfranchise African American voters. Writes Barber (@RevDrBarber), “African-Americans seeking to have their rights protected under federal law have much to fear if Mr. Farr takes the bench. This is particularly the case in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which covers an area where about half of the state’s African-American residents live and is often referred to as its Black Belt.” Throughout his career, Farr has also defended employers charged with employment discrimination and resisted efforts to create safe working conditions for employees. More from The New York Times.

Thomas Farr’s nomination is another example of the Trump-Pence administration’s attempt to impede progress towards equality by putting forth extreme nominees to serve on our courts. A must read piece on Farr’s nomination from @RevDrBarber. #StopFarr t.co/zMzHJwFpJP

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) June 6, 2018

HRC PRESIDENT & SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI) SIT DOWN FOR JOINT INTERVIEW WITH them: “There are 10 million eligible LGBTQ voters across country, and 152,000 in the state of Wisconsin — and add allies to that,” said HRC President Chad Griffin, who kicked off HRC’s nationwide Summer of Action with an event in Wisconsin supporting Senator Baldwin. “When we’re mobilized and vote, we win elections. And we’re not just in this to win elections, we want to pass protections for our communities.” Read the full Griffin/Baldwin interview with  Seamus Kirst (@SeamusKirst) from them.

A blunt reminder that it’s crucial for the LGBTQ+ community to vote in midterm elections t.co/ildxLkhcpU

— them. (@them) June 6, 2018

MUST READ FROM PULSE SHOOTING SURVIVOR BRANDON WOLF ON HIS ACTIVISM: In this powerful oped, Wolf (@bjoewolf) discusses the loss of his friend, Drew Leinonen, and the imperative to end gun violence in America. “In all, I felt an obligation — a responsibility to keep those 49 Pulse victims from dying in vain. I felt challenged to ensure that Drew’s voice didn’t die on the dance floor with him.” More from Orlando Weekly.

TRUMP-PENCE ADMINISTRATION IS ATTACKING GLOBAL LGBTQ HEALTH CARE WITH GAG RULE: The Trump-Pence Administration is considering a rule that would aggressively block patients from receiving necessary guidance from medical professionals on reproductive health care by restricting federal funding to medical facilities that provide comprehensive information about their reproductive health care options, perform abortions or refer patients to facilities that do. These facilities offer a wide variety of crucial services, including 700,000 HIV tests each year, birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, and general health exams. More from Advocate.

HRC JOINS RALLY IN LAS VEGAS TO OPPOSE SEPARATION OF IMMIGRANT FAMILY MEMBERS: HRC joined coalition partners to denounce the Trump-Pence administration’s policy, which barbarically separates immigrant children from their parents. More from The Nevada Independent.

MADISON CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE ON PROTECTING LGBTQ YOUTH FROM DANGEROUS “CONVERSION THERAPY”: More from the Wisconsin State Journal.

STUDENT WINS LAWSUIT AGAINST PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR FAILING TO PREVENT ANTI-LGBTQ BULLYING: The former student, Amanda Wible, was bullied and physically assaulted for years for her gender expression. She was forced to transfer schools, where bullying continued, even after her mother notified the school. More from Philadelphia Magazine.

PRIDE MONTH ROUNDUP

JOIN HRC FOR A TWITTER TOWN HALL WITH NORDIC AMBASSADORS: The Nordic ambassadors to the U.S. from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden will discuss equality and LGBTQI rights on Twitter tomorrow, June 8, from 10 to 11 a.m. Take part at #AskNordicAmbs. More from HRC.

• Youth Radio shares reflections on LGBTQ identities throughout history. More here.
• LGBTQ motorcyclists have created communities where riders can be their authentic selves. Learn their history from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

BARBADIAN LGBTQ ADVOCATES CHALLENGING COUNTRY’S BAN ON SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS BEFORE THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: More from Erasing 76 Crimes.

• Canon Noel Burke, chairman of the Barbados Christian Council Canon, has indicated support for this challenge, saying “we have to ensure that no human being is discriminated against on the basis of their gender or their sexual orientation.” More from Barbados Today.

MANDALUYONG, PHILIPPINES, PASSES LGBTQ NON-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE: The ordinance protects LGBTQ people against discrimination in employment, access to facilities, unjust detention, public programs and services and education. More from Human Rights Watch.

NEW SOUTH WALES UPDATES LAWS TO COMPLY WITH AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY: More from South Coast Register.

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!

Pride Source interviews Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (@JenniferNettles) on allyship; The News & Observer reports on NBA star Reggie Bullock’s sister, a trans woman who was murdered; Spectrum News covers a recent event in Orlando where advocates spoke about anti-LGBTQ hate crimes; Bustle busts myths about sexual fluidity

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-june-7-2018?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

CrossFit Corporate Employee Fired for Tweets Opposing ‘Sinful’ LGBTQ People as Indy Gym Shuts Down: WATCH

Russell Berger / Twitter

Indianapolis CrossFit gym CrossFit Infiltrate closed permanently on Wednesday following backlash over an email sent by one of its employees shutting down an LGBT member’s PRIDE group workout because, he explained, “At the foundational detractor from health, as we believe God sets the parameters for, is pride. We believe that true health forever can only be found within humility, not pride.”

PREVIOUSLY: Indianapolis CrossFit Gym Cancels LGBT Member’s ‘PRIDE’ Workout Because It Goes Against God’s Wishes

Shortly after the gym decided to shut down, a corporate CrossFit employee, Russell Berger, began tweeting in support of  the gym’s homophobic views.

Tweeted Russell Berger: “As someone who personally believes celebrating “pride” is a sin, I’d like to personally encourage #CroossFirInfiltrate for standing by their convictions and refusing to host an @indypride workout….Thank you #CrossFitInfiltrate for standing by your convictions and refusing to celebrate sin by hosting an @indypride workout. The intolerance of the LBGTQ ideology toward any alternative views is mind-blowing.”

The tweets are screencapped below:

CrossFit tweeted later on Wednesday. That Berger had been placed on leave. It later tweeted that he had been terminated: “The statements made today by Russell Berger do not reflect the views of CrossFit Inc. For this reason, his employment with CrossFit has been terminated.”

Effective immediately, Russell Berger has been placed on unpaid leave while management completes a thorough review.

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 6, 2018

The statements made today by Russell Berger do not reflect the views of CrossFit Inc. For this reason, his employment with CrossFit has been terminated.

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 6, 2018

Watch a report from ABC Indianapolis:

The post CrossFit Corporate Employee Fired for Tweets Opposing ‘Sinful’ LGBTQ People as Indy Gym Shuts Down: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

CrossFit Corporate Employee Fired for Tweets Opposing ‘Sinful’ LGBTQ People as Indy Gym Shuts Down: WATCH